Combined step and extension ladder.



PATENTED MAR. 10, 1908.- I. M. HARPSTER, COMBINED STEP AND EXTENSIONLADDER.

, mman-101w FILED MAY 12, 1906;

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ISAAC M. HARPSTER, OF IRONWOOD, MICHIGAN.

COMBINED STEP AND EXTENSION LADDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatented March 10, 1908.

Application filed May 12, 1906. Serial No. 316,586.

citizen of the United States, residing at Ironwood, in the county ofGogebic and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Combined Step and Extension Ladders, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inthe construction of ladders, and has for its primary object to provide anovel device of this character which is peculiarly designed so as to beemployed either as an extension-ladder, or as an ordinary step-ladder,as may be required.

A further object of the invention is to construct a ladder of thischaracter which is simple and durable in its construction and can bereadily collapsed so as to be stored in a comparatively small amount ofspace when not in use.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof andalso to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the meansfor effecting the result, reference is to be had to the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved ladder, showing the devicein the position assumed 'when in use as a stepladder; Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view through the ladder when folded; Fig. 3 is asimilar view through the ladder when extended, a portion being brokenaway; and, Fig. 4- is a detail perspective view of the meeting ends ofthe two sections when extended.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the samereference characters.

.In general, the ladder comprises two sections having a hingedconnection and designed to be either folded together or locked in aposition in alinement with each other. The section 1 of the laddercomprises the spaced parallel side pieces 2 connected by the steps 3which are disposed at an angle to the edges of the side pieces 2 in theusual manner so as to lie in approximately horizontal planes when theladder is inclined in the position assumed in use. The upper step 3extends forwardly beyond the forward edges of the side pieces 2 and isformed with the lateral extensions 4. Metallic reinforcing strips 5 ofapproximately L-shape are employed in connection with the uppermost step3 and are let into the outer face of the side pieces 2, the ends of thesaid strips being extended outwardly and secured to the lateralextensions 4. The opposite section 6 of the ladder comprises the sidepieces 7 which are spaced somewhat further apart so as to receive thefirst mentioned section 1 between them. The rear edges of the sidepieces 7 are connected by the slats 8 which constitute stepscorresponding to the steps 3 of the section 1, but are so positioned asto enable the first mentioned section 1 to be folded against the section6 and received between the side pieces 7 so as to occupy a comparativelysmall amount of space when the ladder is not in use.

The two sections 1 and 6 have their upper end portions pivotallyconnected by means of a transverse rod 9 which in the present instanceis carried by the side pieces 7 and passes loosely through longitudinalslots 10 in the side pieces 2 of the section 1. These slots 10 are shownas positioned immediately below the second step 3 from the top of thesection 1, and the distance between the top of the section 1 and theslots 10 is approximately equal to the distance between the uppermostslat 8 and the rod 9.

When the device is employed as an ordinary step ladder; the two sectionsare swung slightly apart in the'usual manner and connected by the tiemember 11 to limit their spreading. Should it be desired to utilize thedevice as an extension ladder, the rod 9 is moved into the upperportions of the slot 10 and the section 6 swung into alinement with thesection 1. When in this position, the side pieces 7 abut against thelateral extensions 4 which serve as stops to prevent further swingingmovement of the section 6. By sliding the section 6 downwardly upon thesection 1 to move the rod 9 into the lower portions of the slots 10, theupper extremities of the side pieces 7 which project slightly above thetop step can be then slipped under the uppermost slat 8 so as to engagewith the same and lock the two sections of the ladder rigidly inalinement with each other. It will thus be apparent that by a simplemanipulation of the sections ofthe ladder, the

same can be readily positioned to enable the device to be employedeither as an ordinary step ladder or as an extension ladder.

Having thus described the invention, hat is claimed as new is: t

In a ladder, the combination of a pair of loosely connected sections,one of the sections comprising spaced side pieces connected by steps,longitudinal slots being formed in the said side pieces and theuppermost step projecting beyond the forward edge of the side pieces andthe forwardly projecting portion thereof carrying lateral extensions,the side pieces extending upwardly above the uppermost step, Lshapereinforcing strips applied to the sides of the said section and engagingthe lateral extensions of the uppermost step,

the second section comprising side pieces deslgned to receive the sidepleces of the first mentioned section and having their'rear edgesconnected by slats. a rod connecting the side pieces of the secondsection and ex tending through the slots in the side pieces of the firstmentioned section, the lateral extensions of the uppermost step of thefirst section serving to engage the side pieces of the second sectionwhen the latter is swung into alinement with. the former, the movementof the rod within the slots then permitting the second mentioned sectionto he moved longitudinally to throw one of the slats against theprojecting portion of the uppermost step of the first mentioned sectionwhereupon the slat engages the extremity of the side pieces projectingbeyond the upper most step and the two sections are locked rigidlytogether.

ISAAC M. :IIARPS'ITEH.

Witnesses Jon GORRILLA,

MAURICE GnAm'.

